Transgender Athlete Prompts More High School Sports Forfeits in California

Transgender Athlete Prompts More High School Sports Forfeits in California
  • calendar_today August 18, 2025
  • News

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A girls’ high school volleyball team in California has had two more games “scratched” from its schedule after two different schools forfeited, continuing a long, controversial standoff over the participation of a transgender player on the team.

Maribel Munoz, whose daughter is on Jurupa Valley High School’s girls’ volleyball roster, confirmed to Fox News Digital that two more games were scratched against Rim of the World High School on August 25 and Orange Vista High School on August 29. Munoz’s confirmation came after the girls’ volleyball team’s coach, Liana Manu, sent a message to parents about the changes to the schedule.

Jurupa Valley Unified School District (JUSD) also sent a statement about the cancellations, in which it stressed that it did not choose to forfeit. “We understand and acknowledge the disappointment of our Jurupa Valley High School athletes who are ready and prepared to play. Decisions to cancel matches were made by teams in other districts,” the statement said.

The district went on to note that it is required under state law not to discriminate against students based on their gender identity. The district pointed to Education Code 221.5 (f), which “requires schools to allow students to participate on athletic teams that are consistent with the student’s gender identity.”

The district noted its decision is in line with statements issued by both California Attorney General Rob Bonta and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. During the spring track and field season, she won two California state championships, one for the long jump and the other for the triple jump.

“We are proud of our JVHS Jaguars and their willingness to play any team and represent their school and our district with pride,” the district continued in its statement. “JVHS and JUSD Athletic Directors are working diligently to schedule new matches so that JVHS athletes do not lose additional playing time.”

The games come after one nearby school, Riverside Poly High School, forfeited its scheduled game against Jurupa Valley on August 15. Parents of players on the team and a local school board member told Fox News Digital that the decision was directly tied to Jurupa Valley having a transgender player on the team. The player, a senior named AB Hernandez, came out as transgender during her freshman year.

Mom of Trans Player Makes Statement, As Controversy Rages

Hernandez’s mother, Nereyda Hernandez, spoke to Fox News Digital and others about the developing controversy, pushing back against the negative reaction. A girls’ high school volleyball team in California has had two more games “scratched” from its schedule after two different schools forfeited, continuing a long, controversial standoff over the participation of a transgender player on the team.

“I understand the discomfort some may feel, because I was once there, too. The difference is, I chose to learn, to grow, and to open my heart,” she said.

Hernandez stressed that her daughter is on the small side physically, and that’s where her differences end. “This is a child, and I can assure you that she sees your daughters as peers, as teammates, as friends, not through a lens of anything inappropriate,” she said. “In all fairness to my daughter, AB, she didn’t even know it was over her.”

Hernandez has found herself in the national spotlight before this year.“We are proud of our JVHS Jaguars and their willingness to play any team and represent their school and our district with pride,” the district continued in its statement. “JVHS and JUSD Athletic Directors are working diligently to schedule new matches so that JVHS athletes do not lose additional playing time.”

During the spring track and field season, she won two California state championships, one for the long jump and the other for the triple jump.